§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the policy of(a) the Department of Education and (b) each of the Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland is on appliance safety testing, including the testing of portable appliances. [180295]
§ Mr. GardinerIn line with Electricity at Work Regulations, which came into effect on 6 January 1992, and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of Education's policy in relation to the testing of electrical appliances including portable appliances, is to test all electrical equipment on annual basis.
Each Education and Library Board has local arrangements in place to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations (N.I.) 1991 and the associated Codes of Practice. These arrangements include the routine testing of portable appliances in Board properties and schools by approved contractors and suitably trained staff.